Au départ de Blaye

Elegant finger-food tasting buffet on Patiras Island

The 'Refuge de Patiras' offers a fingerfood buffet lunch every Saturday from May to October. Enjoy the musical atmosphere and taste specialities from the Gironde estuary: Macau artichokes, grey-mullet carpaccio, local shrimp, and Blaye asparagus, accompanied by Bordeaux wines. Make sure to enjoy the view over the estuary islands, commented by the lighthouse keeper.

Cruise along the estuary and enjoy the breathtaking view

Guided tour through the heart of the estuary and stopover on Patiras island. At the top of the lighthouse, your guide will explain you the view of islands, sailing channels, Médoc vineyards, as well as the history of the people who used to live on the islands. Today, Patiras also invites you to relax in a deckchair and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the island...

Special free guided tours

The lighthouse on Patiras island has been guided shippings for over 100 years. It has been restored by its present owners, the Conservatoire du Littoral, and offers an amazing view from the middle of the estuary, embracing the right and left banks and recounting the history of the islands. Landing and tours are free 4 days per year - you just pay for the crossing cruise from Blaye.

Guided boat tours on the Gironde estuary

Join us for a guided cruise among the Estuary islands. Enthusiast sailors will lead you to discover one of the most unusual and unique spots of rich maritime river landscape, passing in front of the UNESCO listed Vauban’s Bolt (Verrou Vauban). Enjoy the preserved nature between the saltwater universe of the Atlantic Ocean and the freshwater rivers Garonne-Dordogne.

Guided boat trip on the Gironde estuary

Excursion to the Gironde Estuary. Make a stopover on Margaux Island for a wine tasting in the wine cellars. Then continue the excursion towards the islands and Vauban’s Bolt, guided by enthusiast sailors. Picnic "out of the bag", then stopover on Patiras Island. Enjoy the panorama over the archipelago and the vineyards from the top of the Lighthouse. Refreshments and relaxation on the terrace.